I've never really done any kind of movie or book review on the blog, but I thought this one deserved some space here. This is a really good movie and has even more of an impact because it's based on a true story. The movie takes you through Jackie Robinson's progression through the minor leagues and eventually to the Brooklyn Dodgers as the first African-American baseball player in MLB.
I found the role of Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey (played by Harrison Ford) very interesting. Whatever his underlying motivations were, he braved standing up for what he knew was the wrong practice, that is, having separate leagues for different color players. It was also eye opening to see that Jackie Robinson had to have felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The cruelty that is displayed throughout the movie is tragic, but happened then, and still happens today in so many arenas. Something else that struck me as well was the number of white players who often said to Jackie Robinson, "I just want the chance to play ball." His reply back to them was the same, that he also just wanted the chance to play ball. Strange that so often when discrimination happens the group being discriminated against just wants an equal chance to have what is available to others- not to have something handed to them, but simply to have the opportunity.
A couple of other tidbits I picked up from the movie include:
- In 1997 MLB retired the number 42 for all teams; this is the first number in sports to be universally retired.
- The only exception to this is April 15, Jackie Robinson Day- which commemorates his first day in MLB, when all players wear the number 42 to honor the breakthrough he made.
This was a great movie to watch, and I would recommend it if you have the time. It's a great portrayal of two men and the lengths they went to alter the course of history.
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